Refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator of this embodiment includes a housing that includes a storeroom, a door that is rotatably provided in the housing through a hinge portion and opens or closes an opening of the storeroom by the rotation, a connection line that is led out to the vicinity of the hinge portion, and a wireless communication apparatus that includes a wireless communication unit and is connected to the connection line.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No 14/992,868filed Jan. 11, 2016 which is a continuation of prior InternationalApplication No. PCT/JP2014/003661 filed on Jul. 10, 2014, which is basedupon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent ApplicationNo. 2013-146435 filed on Jul. 12, 2013, the entire contents of all ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to a refrigerator.

BACKGROUND

For example, there is proposed a refrigerator in which a wirelesscommunication apparatus (wireless adaptor) capable of communicating withan external apparatus is provided in the upper surface of a ceiling of ahousing.

However, wirings of connection lines connected to the wirelesscommunication apparatus are not specifically determined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B show an outline of a refrigerator according to a firstembodiment, FIG. 1A is a plan view thereof and FIG. 1B is a front viewof an upper portion thereof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the vicinity of a hinge unitin the right upper portion.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the vicinity of thehinge unit in the right upper portion.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view in a state where a communication unit coverin the vicinity of the hinge unit in the right upper portion isseparated.

FIG. 5 is a side view illustrating the vicinity of the hinge unit in theright upper portion.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line X6-X6 in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view schematically illustrating a connector of aconnection line and a connector cover.

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view taken along line X8-X8 in FIG.3.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of a system configuration related to an ITadaptor.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second embodiment corresponding toof FIG. 6.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating a third embodimentcorresponding to FIGS. 1A and 1B.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line X12-X12 in FIG.11A.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment corresponding toFIG. 6.

FIG. 14 is a plan view illustrating the vicinity of a hinge unit in theleft upper portion of the refrigerator according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a plan view illustrating the vicinity of the hinge unit inthe right upper portion of the refrigerator according to a sixthembodiment.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating of a seventh embodiment correspondingto FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a plan view illustrating the vicinity of the hinge unit inthe right upper portion of the refrigerator according to an eighthembodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a ninth embodiment corresponding toFIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view illustrating the vicinity of the hingeunit in the right upper portion in a state where the IT adaptor ismounted according to a tenth embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view in a state where a lead-out portion coveris removed in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view illustrating the vicinity of the hingeunit in the right upper portion in a state where the IT adaptor ismounted.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view in state where the communication unitcover is removed in FIG. 21.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, the refrigerator according to the embodiments will bedescribed based on the drawing. Further, in each embodiment, the samecomponents will be denoted with the same symbols, and the descriptionsthereof will not be repeated.

According to one embodiment, a refrigerator includes: a housing thatincludes a storeroom; a door that is rotatably provided in the housingthrough a hinge portion and opens or closes an opening of the storeroomby the rotation; a connection line that is led out to the vicinity ofthe hinge portion; and a radio communication member that includes aradio communication unit and is connected to the connection line.

First Embodiment

A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. Asillustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a housing 2 of a refrigerator 1 isformed in a rectangular box shape having the opened front surface and isconfigured such that a heat-insulating member 4 (see FIG. 6) made of aheat-insulating foam material such as urethane foam is filled between asteel outer case 3 and a synthetic resin inner case (not illustrated).The housing 2 includes a plurality of storerooms therein. As thestoreroom, a refrigerating room 5 is provided in the uppermost portion,a vegetable room 6 is proved therebelow, and an ice making room and afreezing room (not illustrated) are provided below the vegetable room 6.

In this case, a front opening of the refrigerating room 5 is opened orclosed by two doors 7A and 7B of a double door type. In the two doors 7Aand 7B, the left end portion of a left door 7A when viewed from thefront side is supported to the housing 2 to be freely rotated by a hingeunit 8, and the right end portion of a right door 7B is supported to thehousing 2 to be freely rotated by a hinge unit 9. In this case, a widthdimension L1 in the left-right direction of the left door 7A is set tobe smaller than a width dimension L2 in the left-right direction of theright door 7B (L1<L2). A vertical partitioning member 10 is provided onthe rear surface side of the right end portion (that is, the free endside of the left door 7A). The vertical partitioning member 10 isprovided in the door 7A to be freely rotated in a horizontal direction.In a state where the left door 7A is closed, a part of the verticalpartitioning member 10 is pulled out to the right side to receive theleft end portion of the right door 7B, and the vertical partitioningmember 10 is rotated to the rear side as the left door 7A is rotated inan opening direction. In addition, an operation panel 11 of a touchpanel type is provided on the front surface side of the left door 7A. Inthe operation panel 11, an electrostatic switch 12 and a displaying LED(not illustrated) are provided. A front opening of the vegetable room 6is opened and closed by a drawing door 14. A vessel (not illustrated) isprovided on the rear side of the door 14.

Next, the configuration of the vicinity of the hinge unit 9 of the rightupper portion in the right door 7B in the right and left doors 7A and 7Bof the refrigerating room 5 will be described with reference to FIGS. 2to 6. A hinge portion 16 (see FIGS. 3 and 6) in the hinge unit 9 is madeof metal (for example, steel), and the rear portion thereof is screwedand fixed to the right front portion of the upper surface of a ceilingpart of the housing 2, a hinge shaft 17 of the front portion isconnected to the right upper end portion of the door 7B to be freelyrotated. The hinge shaft 17 is a cylindrical shape facing downward.

In the ceiling part of the housing 2, a connection line lead-out member18 is provided on the rear side of the hinge portion 16. The connectionline lead-out member 18 is, for example, made of a synthetic resin in arectangular shape of which the upper surface is opened, and is fittedinto an opening 19 (see FIG. 6) formed in a ceiling part of the outercase 3 of the housing 2 from the upper side so that the lower portion isinserted in the heat-insulating member 4. The connection line lead-outmember 18 is provided with an outlet 20 and a storage recess 21. Theoutlet 20 and the storage recess 21 form a connection line lead-outportion 22. A metal member (in this case, an aluminum foil 15 (see FIG.6)) is provided in the inner surface of the storage recess 21. Thealuminum foil 15 is used for the protection of the heat-insulatingmember 4 and for the prevention of dew condensation. The upper endportion of a peripheral wall 18 a of the connection line lead-out member18 protrudes upward, for example, by 2 mm or more from the upper surfaceof the housing 2 (the outer case 3). The peripheral wall 18 a serves asa water infiltration prevention means which prevents the water frombeing infiltrated to the connection line lead-out portion 22.

A plurality of connection lines 23 are provided in the wall of thehousing 2 in the vicinity of the hinge unit 9. One ends of theconnection lines 23 are connected to a control device 24 (see FIG. 1A)which is provided in the back surface of the housing 2, and the otherends are led out through the outlet 20 to the connection line lead-outportion 22. The control device 24 is a main control device whichcontrols the entire operation of the refrigerator 1, and is configuredby a microcomputer as a main part.

Connection lines 23A in the connection lines 23 led out to theconnection line lead-out portion 22 are wired toward the hinge portion16, and inserted through the hinge shaft 17. For example, the connectionlines 23A are used for the connection to a humidity sensor 13 and thelike (see FIG. 1B). For example, the humidity sensor 13 is provided todetect humidity in the vegetable room 6. The rest connection lines 23Bin the connection lines 23 led out to the connection line lead-outportion 22 are used for the connection to an IT adaptor 25 as a wirelesscommunication apparatus described below, and a connector 26 is providedin the leading end. A connector cover 27 illustrated in FIG. 7 isdetachably attached to the connector 26. In a case where the IT adaptor25 is not provided, the connection lines 23B and the connector 26 arestored in the storage recess 21 in a state where the connector cover 27is attached to the connector 26.

In the vicinity of the connection lines 23B for the connection of the ITadaptor 25, a metal line 28 is provided to cover the connection lines ina spiral shape so as to shield noises caused by the connection lines23B. One end of an earth line 28 a is connected to the metal line 28,and the other end of the earth line 28 a is connected to the metal hingeportion 16 by a screw or the like (see FIG. 3).

A hinge cover 30 is screwed to the upper surface of the hinge portion16. The hinge cover 30 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin, inwhich a hinge cover portion 31 covering the hinge portion 16 from theupper side, a surrounding portion 32 surrounding the connection linelead-out member 18, and a storage portion 33 in a shallow vessel shapeare integrally provided as illustrated in FIG. 3. The storage portion 33is provided on the rear side of the surrounding portion 32. The hingecover portion 31 also covers the connection lines 23A which are wiredtoward the hinge portion 16. The height of the surrounding portion 32 isset to be higher than that of the peripheral wall 18 a of the connectionline lead-out member 18, and the surrounding portion 32 also serves asthe water infiltration prevention member which prevents the waterinfiltration into the connection line lead-out portion 22. Thesurrounding portion 32 forms a part of the connection line lead-outportion 22.

In the storage portion 33, the IT adaptor 25 forming the wirelesscommunication apparatus is stored. The storage portion 33 serves as amounting portion in which the IT adaptor 25 is mounted. The IT adaptor25 stored in the storage portion 33 includes a connector 34 whichprotrudes forward in the front surface portion, and includes a wirelesscommunication unit 35 (see FIG. 6) therein. The wireless communicationunit 35 is provided on a wiring board 35 a configured by a printedcircuit substrate. On the upper surface of the wiring board 35 a, whilenot illustrated in the drawing, a wiring of an elongated F shape isprovided as an antenna. The wiring board 35 a and the antenna arepositioned to be parallel to the lower surface of the IT adaptor 25 andthe upper surface of the housing 2.

In the upper surface portion of the IT adaptor 25, step portions 36 areformed in two corners positioned on a diagonal line to be lower than theperipheral portion. In the storage portion 33, elastically deformableengaging claws 37 are integrally provided at positions corresponding tothese step portions 36. In a state where the IT adaptor 25 is stored ata regular position in the storage portion 33, these engaging claws 37are engaged to the corresponding step portions 36 so as to mount andhold the IT adaptor 25 in the storage portion 33. In a state where theIT adaptor 25 is mounted at the regular position of the storage portion33, the wireless communication unit 35 faces upward, and the connector34 faces forward, so that the connector 26 of the connection lines 23Bis connected to the connector 34 detachably from the front side. In thiscase, in a state where the IT adaptor 25 is mounted at the regularposition of the storage portion 33, a distance H1 (see FIG. 6) betweenthe antenna of the wireless communication unit 35 and the upper surfaceof the housing 2 is set to, for example, 10 mm.

Herein, when the IT adaptor 25 is mounted in the storage portion 33, forexample, in a case where the IT adaptor 25 is mounted in the storageportion 33 in the vertically reversed direction, the step portions 36cannot be engaged with the engaging claws 37, so that the IT adaptor 25is not possible to be mounted in the storage portion 33. In this case,when the IT adaptor 25 is mounted in the storage portion 33, the stepportions 36 and the engaging claws 37 serve as mounting regulationmember for positioning the wireless communication unit 35 to faceupward. A side wall 33 a around the storage portion 33 serves as thewater infiltration prevention member for preventing the water from beinginfiltrated into the storage portion 33.

In the hinge cover 30, a connection portion 39 is integrally providedbetween the hinge cover portion 31 and the surrounding portion 32. Theconnection portion 39 is formed in a mountain shape as illustrated inFIG. 8, a center portion 39 a in the lateral direction is high, andinclined portions 39 b and 39 b are formed to be inclined downward as itgoes from the center portion 39 a to the right and left both ends. Aninclined angle a formed between the inclined portion 39 b and thehorizontal surface is desirably set to 5 degrees or more. With thisconfiguration, even when the water is poured onto the connection portion39, the water can quickly flow toward the end portion along the inclinedportion 39 b so as to prevent that the water accumulates in theconnection portion 39. The connection portion 39 of the mountain shapealso serves as the water infiltration prevention member which preventsthe water infiltration with respect to the connection line lead-outportion 22. As illustrated in FIG. 8, engagement holes 40 are formed atboth right and left positions of the connection portion 39 in the rearsurface portion of the hinge cover portion 31.

In the upper surface of the hinge cover 30, a communication unit cover41 is detachably mounted at a position on the rear side of the hingecover portion 31. The communication unit cover 41 integrally includes alead-out portion cover portion 42 made of a synthetic resin covering theenveloping portion 32 and the connection line lead-out portion 22 fromthe upside, and includes an adaptor cover portion 43 covering the ITadaptor 25 from the upper side. The adaptor cover portion 43 is formedsuch that a portion corresponding to the IT adaptor 25 is heightened byone step. In the upper surface of the adaptor cover portion 43, adisplay portion 44 denoted by character “A” (in this case, “Wireless”)is provided. Since the display portion 44 is used to indicate that theIT adaptor 25 (the wireless communication apparatus) is stored therein,it is not limited to the characters, but may be an illustration forexample. The indication of the characters and the illustration may beprinted to the adaptor cover portion 43, or may be electricallydisplayed if desired.

Engaging claws 45 engaged with the engagement holes 40 are provided onboth the right and left sides in the front portion of the communicationunit cover 41. The engaging claws 45 are elastically deformable, and areinserted from the rear side to the engagement holes 40 to be engaged ina pulling-out preventing state. Projections 46 protruding inward areprovided in the inner surfaces of both the right and left side walls ofthe lead-out portion cover portion 42 in the communication unit cover41. Projections 47 (only one projection is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4)protruding sideward are provided in the outer surfaces of both the rightand left side walls of the surrounding portion 32. The projections 46and the projections 47 are provided at positions corresponding to eachother and slightly shifted in the vertical direction. Projections 48(for example, two projections) protruding forward are provided in thelower end portion of the rear wall of the adaptor cover portion 43 inthe communication unit cover 41. In the rear portion of the storageportion 33, a depression 49 opened toward the rear surface side isformed as illustrated in FIG. 6.

Herein, when the communication unit cover 41 is mounted on the uppersurface of the hinge cover 30, the communication unit cover 41 ispositioned slightly backward on the upper surfaces of the surroundingportion 32 and the storage portion 33, and slid forward. At this time,the projections 46 of the communication unit cover 41 go into the lowerside of the projections 47 of the surrounding portion 32, and theprojections 48 of the communication unit cover 41 go into thedepressions 49 of the rear portion of the storage portion 33 from therear side. Then, the engaging claws 45 on both the right and left sidesof the front portion of the communication unit cover 41 are engaged withthe engagement holes 40 of the hinge cover portion 31. Therefore, thecommunication unit cover 41 is mounted on the hinge cover 30 whilepreventing that the cover floats upward with respect to the hinge cover30.

In this case, the engagement holes 40, the projections 47, and thedepressions 49 in the hinge cover 30 and the engaging claws 45, theprojections 46, and the projections 48 in the communication unit cover41 form floating prevention member which prevent the floating of thecommunication unit cover 41 with respect to the hinge cover 30.Therefore, in a state where the communication unit cover 41 is mountedon the upper surface of the hinge cover 30, the front portion of thecommunication unit cover 41 is positioned to cover the connectionportion 39 from the upper side (see FIG. 6).

The hinge cover portion 31 covering the hinge portion 16, the connectionline lead-out portion 22, and the communication unit cover 41 coveringthe IT adaptor 25 stored in the storage portion 33 are formed to begradually spread in the width (horizontal direction) as it goes from thehinge portion 16 of the front portion to the IT adaptor 25 of the rearportion. The wireless communication unit 35 of the IT adaptor 25 storedin the storage portion 33 is higher than the upper surface of thehousing 2 (the upper surface of the outer case 3), and is disposed at aposition higher than that of the hinge portion 16. The aluminum foil 15provided in the inner surface of the storage recess 21 in the connectionline lead-out portion 22 is positioned on the lower side from thewireless communication unit 35 of the IT adaptor 25.

In the front portions of the outer side surfaces on both the right andleft sides of the communication unit cover 41, slipping preventionportions 51 are provided at positions near the engaging claws 45 for aattaching/detaching operation. In this case, the slipping preventionportions 51 are configured by two bead portions which are extended inthe vertical direction. The lower ends of the two bead portions areextended down to the lower ends of both the right and left side walls ofthe communication unit cover 41.

When the communication unit cover 41 is mounted on the upper surface ofthe hinge cover 30, an operator grips the communication unit cover 41while holding the right and left slipping prevention portions 51 usingfingers, and slides the communication unit cover 41 forward with respectto the hinge cover 30, so that the right and left engaging claws 45 canbe engaged with the engagement holes 40. In addition, in a case wherethe communication unit cover 41 is taken off from the hinge cover 30,the operator presses and elastically deforms the slipping preventionportions 51 to the inward direction in a state where the right and leftslipping prevention portions 51 are held by the fingers, and slides thecommunication unit cover 41 to the rear side, so that the engagementbetween the engaging claws 45 and the engagement holes 40 can bereleased. In this way, with the configuration of the slipping preventionportions 51, the attaching/detaching operation is easily performed whenthe communication unit cover 41 is attached or detached with respect tothe hinge cover 30.

Further, the hinge unit 8 of the left upper portion supporting the leftdoor 7A of the refrigerating room 5 is provided with a hinge portion 16similar to the hinge portion 16 described, the connection line lead-outportion 22, and a hinge cover 52 while not illustrated in detail. Thehinge cover 52 integrally includes a hinge cover portion 53 covering thehinge portion 16 and a lead-out portion cover portion 54 covering theconnection line lead-out portion 22. The IT adaptor 25 is not providedin the hinge unit 8 side. The connection lines 23 derived from thecontrol device 24 toward the hinge unit 8 side pass in the wall of thehousing 2 and are led out in the connection line lead-out portion 22,and are wired from the hinge shaft 17 to the door 7A side. In this case,as illustrated in FIG. 1B, the connection lines 23 include connectionlines 23C for the operation panel 11 and a heater connection line 23D.The connection lines 23C for the operation panel 11 include controllines for the electrostatic switch 12 and for LED control. In addition,the heater connection line 23D is connected to a heater (notillustrated) which is provided in the vertical partitioning member 10for the prevention of dew condensation. The applied voltage of theheater connection line 23D is 100 V, and the thickness thereof isthicker than those of the other connection lines.

FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system configuration relatedto the IT adaptor 25. The IT adaptor 25 provided in the refrigerator 1is connected to the control device 24 of the refrigerator 1 through theconnection lines 23B. In addition, the operation panel 11 of therefrigerator 1 is connected to the control device 24 through theconnection lines 23C. The IT adaptor 25 can perform wireless communicatewith an external apparatus (in this case, a router 56 installed in ahouse) through the wireless communication unit 35. The router 56 isconnected to an information server 58 through the Internet 57. A usercan access the information server 58 from a mobile terminal 59 of theuser through the Internet 57. In this case, a wavelength λ of the radiowave from the wireless communication unit 35 is 120 mm.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects canbe obtained.

The embodiments provide a refrigerator in which a wireless communicationapparatus and wirings can be easily layout.

In the conventional refrigerator, the connection line connected to thecontrol device of the refrigerator is led out in the vicinity of thehinge portion of the door, and therefrom wired toward the door throughthe hinge shaft. Herein, in this embodiment, the IT adaptor 25 of thewireless communication apparatus is disposed in the vicinity of thehinge portion 16 of the door 7B of the refrigerator 1. Therefore, theconnection lines 23B connected to the IT adaptor 25 and the otherconnection lines 23A wired toward the door through the hinge shaft 17can be shared by the connection line lead-out portion 22. Therefore, theIT adaptor 25 and the connection lines 23B can be easily layout. Inaddition, similarly to the other connection lines 23A wired toward thedoor 7B, the connection lines 23B connected to the IT adaptor 25 easilypass in a wall (a heat-insulating member) 4 of the housing 2, and theconnection lines 23B can be wired not to be exposed to the upper surfaceof the housing 2.

Since the IT adaptor 25 is disposed in the vicinity of the hinge portion16 of the door 7B, a shock is hardly received when the door 7B isclosed. In a case where the IT adaptor 25 is disposed on the free endside (the upper surface of the housing 2, and the vicinity of the centerportion in the lateral direction when viewed from the front side)opposite to the hinge portion 16 in the door 7B, there is a problem thata shock is easily caused when the door 7A and the door 7B are closed,but the IT adaptor 25 according to this embodiment is not affected bysuch a problem. In particular, in a case where the IT adaptor 25 of aattaching and detaching type is used, the connectors 26 and 34 arelikely to be disconnected. Further, in the above-described embodiment,the description has been made about a case where the refrigerating room5 is configured by the two doors 7A and 7B of the double door type andthe IT adaptor 25 is provided in the vicinity of the hinge portion 16 ofthe right door 7B. However, even in a case where the door is a singleswing type, the same operational effect can be obtained by providing theIT adaptor 25 in the vicinity of the hinge portion.

Since the storage portion 33 mounted with the IT adaptor 25 is providedin the hinge cover 30 covering the hinge portion 16, the IT adaptor 25can be easily disposed in the vicinity of the hinge portion 16. Inaddition, the connection lines 23A and 23B are led out to thesurrounding portion 32 of the hinge cover 30, and the connection lines23B and the IT adaptor 25 are connected through the connector 26 and theconnector 34, so that the connection lines 23B and the IT adaptor 25 canbe easily connected. Further, in this case, the IT adaptor 25 may bemounted directly on the upper surface of the housing 2.

With the configurations of the hinge cover 30 covering the hinge portion16, the storage portion 33 which is provided in the hinge cover 30 andstores the IT adaptor 25, and the communication unit cover 41 whichcovers the IT adaptor 25 stored in the storage portion 33, the hingeportion 16 and the IT adaptor 25 are not exposed. Therefore, avisibility can be made excellent, and it is possible to prevent that theuser unexpectedly touches the configurations. Since the communicationunit cover 41 is further configured to cover the connection linelead-out portion 22 through which the connection lines 23 are led out,it is also possible to prevent that the connection lines 23 are exposed.

Further, in a case where the IT adaptor 25 is directly mounted on theupper surface of the housing 2 by a double-sided adhesive tape withoutproviding the storage portion 33 in the hinge cover 30, the hinge covermay be configured to cover both the connection line lead-out portion 22and the IT adaptor 25.

The IT adaptor 25 is positioned on the rear side of the hinge portion16. With this configuration, the IT adaptor 25 is hardly visible fromthe front side, it is inconspicuous. Further, in a case where the ITadaptor 25 is positioned on the left side of the hinge portion 16 in theupper surface of the housing 2, the IT adaptor 25 is difficult to be hidby the hinge cover 30 and easily stands out.

The connection line lead-out portion 22 is positioned between the hingeportion 16 and the IT adaptor 25. Since the connection line lead-outportion 22 is formed in the opening 19 on the upper surface of thehousing 2, it is desirably provided in the end portion of the uppersurface of the housing 2 on the rear side of the hinge portion 16.

The connection lines 23 in the hinge unit 9 include the connection lines23B connected to the IT adaptor 25 and the connection lines 23A derivedto the door 7B. The connection lines 23A and 23B are divided into thefront and rear sides (that is, the side toward the IT adaptor 25 and theside toward the hinge portion 16) in the connection line lead-outportion 22 between the hinge portion 16 and the IT adaptor 25.Therefore, the connection lines 23A and 23B led out to the connectionline lead-out portion 22 can be appropriately wired toward the front andrear sides.

Since the wireless communication unit 35 of the IT adaptor 25 ispositioned above the upper surface of the housing 2, it is possible toprevent that the wireless communication of the wireless communicationunit 35 is hindered by the housing 2. In addition, the aluminum foil 15of the metal member is provided in the storage recess 21 of theconnection line lead-out portion 22. However, since the aluminum foil 15is positioned on the lower side of the wireless communication unit 35and does not cover the wireless communication unit 35, it is possible toprevent that the wireless communication of the wireless communicationunit 35 is hindered by the metal aluminum foil 15.

Since the wireless communication unit 35 in the IT adaptor 25 ispositioned above the hinge portion 16, it is also possible to preventthat the wireless communication of the wireless communication unit 35 ishindered by the metal hinge portion 16. Since the adaptor cover portion43 of the communication unit cover 41 covering the IT adaptor 25protrudes upward from the hinge portion 16, the wireless communicationunit 35 of the IT adaptor 25 can be more easily disposed at a positionabove the hinge portion 16.

Since the display portion 44 for displaying that the IT adaptor 25 isstored is provided in the upper surface of the adaptor cover portion 43of the communication unit cover 41 covering the IT adaptor 25, theoperator or the user can easily know by viewing the display portion 44.

The connector 34 of the IT adaptor 25 is positioned above the uppersurface of the housing 2. Therefore, even in a case where the waterflows to the upper surface of the housing 2, it is possible to preventthat the water comes into contact with the connector 34.

Since the step portions 36 and the engaging claws 37 are provided as themounting regulation member for positioning the wireless communicationunit 35 of the IT adaptor 25 to face upward in a case where the ITadaptor 25 is mounted in the storage portion 33, the IT adaptor 25 canbe mounted in a state that the wireless communication unit 35 reliablyfaces upward. Therefore, it is possible to reliably perform thecommunication by the wireless communication unit 35 compared to a casewhere the IT adaptor 25 is mounted in a state that the wirelesscommunication unit 35 faces downward.

The detachable connector cover 27 is provided in the connector 26 of theconnection lines 23B for the connection of the IT adaptor 25. In a casewhere the IT adaptor 25 is not provided in the refrigerator 1, theconnector 26 of the connection lines 23B is stored in the storage recess21. In this case, the terminal of the connector 26 is prevented frombeing exposed by providing the connector cover 27 to the connector 26.Therefore, it is possible to reliably prevent that the terminal of theconnector 26 comes into contact with the metal aluminum foil 15 or thehinge portion 16.

The metal line 28 for noise prevention is provided in the connectionlines 23B for the connection of the IT adaptor 25, and the earth line 28a connected to the metal line 28 is connected to the metal hinge portion16. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of noises on theconnection lines 23B. In addition, such a configuration can be easilyachieved by disposing the IT adaptor 25 in the vicinity of the hingeportion 16. In addition, the metal line may be disposed within a coatedmaterial of the connection lines 23B. In this case, the earth line 28 amay be connected to the connector 26.

The water infiltration prevention member is provided for the connectionline lead-out portion 22. In this case, as the water infiltrationprevention member, there are the peripheral wall 18 a surrounding theconnection line lead-out portion 22 in the connection line lead-outmember 18, the surrounding portion 32 surrounding the peripheral wall 18a, and the connection portion 39 formed in the mountain shape. Withthese configurations, it is possible to prevent the water from beinginfiltrated into the connection line lead-out portion 22. The storageportion 33 storing the IT adaptor 25 is formed in a vessel shape, sothat the peripheral side wall 33 a also serves as the water infiltrationprevention member for the IT adaptor 25.

The refrigerating room 5 includes the two doors 7A and 7B of the doubledoor type, the heater connection line 23D passes to the hinge unit 8 ofthe left door 7A in these two doors 7A and 7B, and the IT adaptor 25 isprovided in the vicinity of the hinge unit 9 of the right door 7B wherethe heater connection line 23D does not pass. With this configuration,there is an advantage that the IT adaptor 25 is hardly affected by thenoises from the heater connection line 23D.

In addition, the operation panel 11 equipped with the electrostaticswitch 12 is provided in the left door 7A in the two doors 7A and 7B ofthe refrigerating room 5, and the IT adaptor 25 is provided in thevicinity of the hinge unit 9 of the right door 7B where theelectrostatic switch 12 is not provided. With this configuration, it ispossible to reliably prevent that the communication performed by the ITadaptor 25 adversely affects the electrostatic switch 12.

The floating prevention member is provided between the hinge cover 30and the communication unit cover 41 in order to prevent thecommunication unit cover 41 from floating upward against the hinge cover30. In this case, the engagement holes 40, the projections 47, and thedepression 49 in the hinge cover 30, and the engaging claws 45, theprojections 46, and the projections 48 in the communication unit cover41 are provided as the floating prevention member. The communicationunit cover 41 is formed in a longitudinal shape extending in the frontand rear direction, and the floating easily occurs at the time ofmounting. However, it is possible to reliably prevent that thecommunication unit cover 41 floats upward by providing the floatingprevention member at three places front and back of the communicationunit cover 41.

The communication unit cover 41 includes the slipping preventionportions 51 for the attaching/detaching operation in its outer sidesurfaces. The slipping prevention portions 51 are formed by two beadswhich are extended in the vertical direction, and extended down to thelower ends of the outer side surfaces of the communication unit cover41. With this configuration, when the communication unit cover 41 isformed by a molding die, a mating surface between an upper die and alower die is set to be in the lower ends of the slipping preventionportions 51 (that is, the lower ends of the right and left side walls ofthe communication unit cover 41), so that the mating surface (that is, aparting line) of the dies is not left in the intermediate portions ofthe outer surfaces of the right and left side walls of the communicationunit cover 41.

The hinge cover 30 covering the hinge portion 16, and the communicationunit cover 41 covering the connection line lead-out portion 22 and theIT adaptor 25 are provided, and both these covers are formed to begradually expanded in the width as it goes from the hinge portion 16 tothe IT adaptor 25. With this configuration, it is possible not to formlarge step portions in the hinge cover 30 and the communication unitcover 41, and there is an advantage of a good visibility. Further, thecomponents from the hinge portion 16 to the IT adaptor 25 may beintegrally covered by one cover. In addition, the expanding direction ofthe cover is not limited to the width direction (lateral direction) fromthe hinge portion 16 to the IT adaptor 25, and may be a heightdirection.

The IT adaptor 25 is disposed at a position where a distance H1 betweenthe wireless communication unit 35 (antenna) and the upper surface ofthe metal outer case 3 (serving as the upper surface of the housing 2)becomes 10 mm. In a case where the distance between the wirelesscommunication unit 35 and the metal (the outer case 3) is set to adistance (that is, 60 mm, 120 mm, 180 mm, or the like) corresponding tothe multiples of a half of a wavelength λ (about 120 mm) of a radio wave(2.5 GHz band) handled by the wireless communication unit 35, theincident wave and the reflected wave of the radio wave are cancelled outand thus the electric wave is not transmitted. With this regard, in thisembodiment, the distance H1 between the wireless communication unit 35and the upper surface of the housing 2 is set to 10 mm which does notcorrespond to the above numerical values, so that it is possible toprevent that the electric wave is not transmitted. In particular, inthis embodiment, since the distance H1 is set to 10 mm which is lessthan a half of the wavelength λ, it is possible to prevent that the ITadaptor 25 significantly protrudes upward, and to achieve a desirablydesign.

Besides, when the distance H1 is set to 30 mm which corresponds to aquarter of the wavelength λ, the phases of the incident wave and thereflective wave of the radio wave are likely to be overlapped to eachother so as to be multiplied, so that it can be expected thatcommunication performance is more enhanced. In addition, the aboveeffect can be obtained when other radio waves are used. For example, thesame effect can be obtained in the 2.4 GHz (wavelength: 125 mm) band andthe 5 GHz (wavelength: 60 mm) band and the like.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 10. In thesecond embodiment, the description will be made about a case where theconfiguration for mounting the IT adaptor 25 in the storage portion 33is not provided with an engaging claw 37 which serves as the mountingregulation means for positioning the wireless communication unit 35 ofthe IT adaptor 25 to face upward. In such a case, the IT adaptor 25 maybe mounted in the storage portion 33 in a state where the wirelesscommunication unit 35 faces downward as illustrated in FIG. 10. Even ina case where the IT adaptor 25 is mounted to be inversed in the verticaldirection, the connector 34 in the front surface portion is positionedabove the upper surface of the housing 2. Therefore, even when the waterflows on the upper surface of the housing 2, it is possible to preventthe water from coming contact with the connector 34. Even in a casewhere the IT adaptor 25 is directly mounted on the upper surface of thehousing 2 without the storage portion 33, the same effect is achieved.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12.In the third embodiment, the IT adaptor 25 serving as the wirelesscommunication apparatus is not provided in the hinge unit 9 of the rightupper portion, but is provided in the vicinity of the hinge unit 8 ofthe left upper portion. The hinge unit 8 of the left upper portionsupports the left door 7A having a small width dimension in the rightand left two doors 7A and 7B. Similarly to the hinge cover 30 of thefirst embodiment, the hinge cover portion 31, the surrounding portion 32surrounding the connection line lead-out portion 22, and the storageportion 33 storing the IT adaptor 25 are integrally provided in thehinge cover 30. In the connection line lead-out portion 22, theconnection lines 23 of which the one ends are connected to the controldevice 24 are led out. In this case, the connection lines 23 include theconnection lines 23B for the connection of the IT adaptor 25, theconnection lines 23C for the operation panel 11, and the heaterconnection line 23D.

In the connection line lead-out portion 22, the connection lines 23B forthe connection of the IT adaptor 25 are led to the IT adaptor 25, andthe connector 26 of the leading end is connected to the connector 34 ofthe IT adaptor 25. The other connection lines 23 (the connection lines23C for the operation panel 11 and the heater connection line 23D) areled to the hinge portion 16, and inserted in the hinge shaft 17. At thistime, in the storage recess 21, the aluminum foil 15 provided in thestorage recess 21 is positioned between the heater connection line 23Dand the heat-insulating member 4. Besides, the hinge portion 16 of theright hinge unit 9 and the connection line lead-out portion 22 arecovered by the hinge cover 52 similarly to the left hinge unit 8 of thefirst embodiment.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects areachieved.

The IT adaptor 25 is provided in the vicinity of the hinge unit 8 of theleft door 7A of which the width dimension is small in the two doors 7Aand 7B of the double door type. According to this configuration, sincethe weight of the left door 7A of the small width dimension is smallerthan that of the right door 7B, a shock applied to the IT adaptor 25 canbe more reduced when the door 7A is closed.

In the connection line lead-out portion 22, the heater connection line23D for 100 V is included in the connection lines 23, and the aluminumfoil 15 is provided in the inner surface of the storage recess 21 toprevent fire spread from the heat-insulating member 4 made of aheat-insulating foam material. Even in this case, since the aluminumfoil 15 is provided below the upper surface of the housing 2, it ispossible to prevent that the metal aluminum foil 15 adversely affectsthe wireless communication of the wireless communication unit 35.

Fourth Embodiment

A fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 13. Thefourth embodiment is different from the above-described first embodimentin the following points. That is, a storage portion 61 of a vessel shapeis integrally provided in the rear portion of the connection linelead-out member 18, and the storage portion 61 is also fitted into theopening 19 of the outer case 3 from the upside. Therefore, the bottomsurface of the storage portion 61 is positioned below the upper surfaceof the outer case 3. Then, the IT adaptor 25 is disposed to be stored inthe storage portion 61, and the connector 34 of the IT adaptor 25 andthe connector 26 of the connection lines 23B are connected.

Fifth Embodiment

A fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14schematically illustrates an example in which the IT adaptor 25 isprovided in the vicinity of the hinge portion 16 of the left door 7A. Inthe upper surface of the housing 2, a connection line lead-out portion62 leading out the connection lines 23 is disposed obliquely on theright so as to be positioned on the rear side of the hinge portion 16and in the inner side (in this case, the right side) of the hingeportion 16 when viewed from the front side. The IT adaptor 25 isdisposed to be positioned on a line extending to the rear side of theconnection line lead-out portion 62. In other words, the IT adaptor 25is disposed obliquely on the right side from the hinge portion 16.

In the connection lines 23 led out to the connection line lead-outportion 62, the connection lines 23 of the door 7A side are derived tothe hinge portion 16 and inserted to the hinge shaft 17, and theconnection lines 23B for the IT adaptor 25 are led to the IT adaptor 25and connected to the IT adaptor 25 through the connectors 26 and 34.Then, the hinge portion 16, the connection line lead-out portion 22, andthe IT adaptor 25 are integrally covered by a cover 63. Further, thecover 63 may be divided into two parts.

Sixth Embodiment

A sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15schematically illustrates an example in which the IT adaptor 25 isprovided in the vicinity of the hinge portion 16 of the right door 7B.In the upper surface of the housing 2, the connection line lead-outportion 62 is provided on the left side of the hinge portion 16. The ITadaptor 25 is positioned on the left side of the connection linelead-out portion 62, and is disposed in the lateral direction to beparallel to the door 7B. The connector 34 faces the right side. In theconnection lines 23 led out to the connection line lead-out portion 62,the connection lines 23 of the door 7A side are led out to the hingeportion 16 and inserted to the hinge shaft 17, and the connection lines23B for the IT adaptor 25 are disposed to face the IT adaptor 25 andconnected to the IT adaptor 25 through the connectors 26 and 34. Then,the hinge portion 16, the connection line lead-out portion 62, and theIT adaptor 25 are integrally covered by a cover 64. The cover 64 isformed in an L shape (when viewed from the above) to be along thearrangement of the hinge portion 16, the connection line lead-outportion 22, and the IT adaptor 25. A compressor 65 of a refrigeratingcycle is disposed in the ceiling part of the rear portion of the housing2.

In this case, the connection line lead-out portion 62 and the IT adaptor25 each are disposed in the depressions of the ceiling part of thehousing 2, the connection line lead-out portion 62 and the IT adaptor 25may be disposed in one depression.

Seventh Embodiment

A seventh embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 16. Theseventh embodiment is different from the above-described sixthembodiment in the following points. That is, the IT adaptor 25 ispositioned on the rear side of the hinge portion 16 and the connectionline lead-out portion 62 in the upper surface of the housing 2 so as tobe wrapped by the hinge portion 16 and the connection line lead-outportion 62 when viewed from the front side. The IT adaptor 25 isdisposed such that the connector 34 faces the left side, and is disposedto be parallel to the door 7B.

Then, the hinge portion 16, the connection line lead-out portion 62, andthe IT adaptor 25 are integrally covered by a cover 66. The cover 66 isformed in the L shape (when viewed from the above) to be along thearrangement of the hinge portion 16, the connection line lead-outportion 62, and the IT adaptor 25.

Eighth Embodiment

An eighth embodiment will be descried with reference to FIG. 17. Theeighth embodiment has the following features. In the upper surface ofthe housing 2, a mounting member 68 as a part for forming the connectionline lead-out portion 62 is provided on the rear side of the hingeportion 16 of the right door 7B. The mounting member 68 includes theconnection line lead-out portion 62 and a storage portion 69, and madeof a synthetic resin for example. The storage portion 69 is positionedon the rear side of the connection line lead-out portion 62, and awiring board 70 and the IT adaptor 25 are stored in the storage portion69. In this case, the IT adaptor 25 is positioned on the rear side ofthe wiring board 70, and disposed in a state where the connector 34faces the front side. The hinge portion 16, the connection line lead-outportion 62, the wiring board 70, and the IT adaptor 25 are disposed in astraight-line shape in the front and rear direction. Then, the hingeportion 16, the connection line lead-out portion 62, the wiring board70, and the IT adaptor 25 are integrally covered by a cover 71. Thecover 71 is formed in the straight-line shape (when viewed from theabove) to be along the arrangement of the hinge portion 16, theconnection line lead-out portion 62, the wiring board 70, and the ITadaptor 25. The wiring board 70 is provided with a temperature sensorand a humidity sensor, and the control is made on the inside of arefrigerator based on these detected values. In addition, a surroundingenvironment for operating the IT adaptor 25 may be informed base onthese detected values.

Ninth Embodiment

A ninth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 18. Theninth embodiment is different from the above-described eighth embodimentin the following points. That is, a mounting member 72 forming theconnection line lead-out portion 62 includes a storage portion 73 in thesurrounding area of the connection line lead-out portion 62. In thestorage portion 73, the wiring board 70 is disposed on the rear side ofthe connection line lead-out portion 62, and the IT adaptor 25 isdisposed on the left side of the connection line lead-out portion 62 andthe wiring board 70. Therefore, the IT adaptor 25 is disposed in theinner side from the wiring board 70 when viewed from the front side.Then, the hinge portion 16, the connection line lead-out portion 62, thewiring board 70, and the IT adaptor 25 are integrally covered by a cover74. The cover 74 is formed in the L shape (when viewed from the above)to be along the arrangement of the hinge portion 16, the connection linelead-out portion 62, the wiring board 70, and the IT adaptor 25.

Tenth Embodiment

A tenth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 to 22.FIGS. 19 and 20 in FIGS. 19 to 22 illustrate a case where the IT adaptor25 is not provided in the vicinity of the hinge unit 9 of the rightupper portion, and FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate a case where the ITadaptor 25 is provided. Besides, the two doors 7A and 7B are omitted inFIGS. 19 to 22.

First, in FIGS. 19 and 20, the surrounding portion 32 is integrallyprovided in the hinge cover 30 on the rear side of the hinge coverportion 31 covering the hinge portion 16 (see FIG. 3) through theconnection portion 39, but the storage portion 33 is not provided. Inthe connection line lead-out portion 22 in the surrounding portion 32,the connection lines 23 are led out. The connection lines 23A on a sidenear the door 7B (not illustrated) among the connection lines 23 are ledout to the hinge cover portion 31. Then, the connection lines 23B forthe IT adaptor 25 are stored in the storage recess 21 to be freely putin and out. Holes 75 are formed at two places in the rear surface of theenveloping portion 32. In the rear surface of the hinge cover portion31, the engagement holes 40 are formed to be positioned on both theright and left sides of the connection portion 39 similarly to the firstembodiment. In addition, the projections 47 are formed in both sidesurfaces on the right and left sides of the surrounding portion 32.

In the connection line lead-out portion 22, a lead-out portion cover 76is detachably mounted. The lead-out portion cover 76 is a first coverwhich covers the connection line lead-out portion 22. In the lead-outportion cover 76, the engaging claws 45 engaged with the engagementholes 40 are provided in the front portion, the projections 46corresponding to the projections 47 are provided in the inner surface ofthe right and left side walls, and projections 77 corresponding to theholes 75 are provided in the rear portion to face forward. In addition,the slipping prevention portions 51 are also provided in the frontportion of both outer surfaces on the right and left sides of thelead-out portion cover 76.

When the lead-out portion cover 76 is mounted on the upper surface ofthe hinge cover 30, the operator grips the lead-out portion cover 76while holding the right and left slipping prevention portions 51 usingfingers, and slides the lead-out portion cover 76 forward with respectto the hinge cover 30, so that the right and left engaging claws 45 areengaged with the engagement holes 40 and each inserted in the holes 75corresponding to the projections 77 of the rear portion. At this time,the right and left projections 46 of the lead-out portion cover 76 gointo the lower side of the projections 47 of the surrounding portion 32.Therefore, the lead-out portion cover 76 can be mounted in the uppersurface of the hinge cover 30 in a state where the floating isprevented.

In addition, in a case where the lead-out portion cover 76 is removedfrom the hinge cover 30, similarly to the case of the communication unitcover 41 of the first embodiment, the operator slides the lead-outportion cover 76 backward while pressing the slipping preventionportions 51 inward to elastically deform the engaging claws 45 inward inthe state of holding the right and left slipping prevention portions 51using fingers, so that the engagement between the engaging claws 45 andthe engagement holes 40 can be released. Therefore, the lead-out portioncover 76 can be removed from the hinge cover 30.

In a case where the IT adaptor 25 is provided with respect to the hingeunit 9 of the above configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 22, the ITadaptor 25, an adaptor fixing tool 78 storing the IT adaptor 25, and acommunication unit cover 80 having the same configuration as that of thefirst embodiment are prepared. The adaptor fixing tool 78 is made of,for example, a synthetic resin and formed in a rectangular vessel shape,and includes a storage portion 81 therein. The IT adaptor 25 is storedand fixed in the storage portion 81. The adaptor fixing tool 78 fixingthe IT adaptor 25 is positioned on the rear side of the surroundingportion 32 with the hinge cover 30 as a reference, and in this state,mounted in a fixed state on the upper surface of the housing 2 (theouter case 3) by a double-sided adhesive tape for example. Thedepression 49 of which the rear surface is open is formed in the rearportion of the adaptor fixing tool 78.

The communication unit cover 80 is formed similarly to the communicationunit cover 41 of the first embodiment except that the shape of the uppersurface is slightly different. The communication unit cover 80 forms asecond cover which simultaneously covers the connection line lead-outportion 22 (the surrounding portion 32) and the IT adaptor 25. Thecommunication unit cover 80 includes the engaging claws 45 in the frontportions of both the right and left side walls, the slipping preventionportions 51 in the front portions of both the right and left sidesurfaces, the projections 46 in the inner surfaces of both the right andleft side walls, and the projections 48 facing forward in the rearportion. The upper surface of the communication unit cover 80 isprovided with an inclined portion 80 a of which the height is graduallyincreased as it goes from the hinge portion 16 to the IT adaptor 25 soas to be gradually expanded as it goes toward the IT adaptor 25.Besides, the display portion 44 indicating “Wireless” is provided abovethe IT adaptor 25 in the upper surface of the communication unit cover80.

The communication unit cover 80 is mounted with respect to the hingecover 30 as follows. The communication unit cover 80 is positionedslightly behind the upper surface of the surrounding portion 32 and theIT adaptor 25, and in this state slid forward. At this time, theprojections 46 of the communication unit cover 80 go into the lower sideof the projections 47 of the surrounding portion 32, and the projections48 of the communication unit cover 80 go into the depression 49 of therear portion of the adaptor fixing tool 78 from the rear side. Then, theengaging claws 45 on both the right and left sides of the front portionof the communication unit cover 80 are engaged with the engagement holes40 of the hinge cover portion 31. Therefore, the communication unitcover 80 is attached to the hinge cover 30 while preventing that thecover floats upward with respect to the hinge cover 30 (FIG. 21).

In this case, the engagement holes 40 of the hinge cover 30 constitutecover mounting portions with which the lead-out portion cover 76 (thefirst cover) covering the connection line lead-out portion 22 and thecommunication unit cover 80 (the second cover) simultaneously coveringthe connection line lead-out portion 22 and the IT adaptor 25 can bemounted. Besides, in this embodiment, the metal line 28 and the earthline 28 a for noise prevention are not provided in the connection lines23B, but it is desirably to provide these lines.

Other Embodiments

In the above-described embodiment, the description has been made aboutan example where the two doors 7A and 7B of the double door type areprovided as the door of the refrigerating room 5, however, the inventioncan be applied to the case of a single door type. Even in this case, theIT adaptor 25 is provided in the vicinity of the hinge portion whichsupports the door.

As described above, according to the refrigerator of this embodiment,the wireless communication apparatus is connected to the connectionlines led out to the vicinity of the hinge portion, so that the wirelesscommunication apparatus and the lines can be easily layout.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope andspirit of the inventions.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

1 refrigerator

2 housing

3 outer case

4 heat-insulating member (heat-insulating foam material)

5 refrigerating room (storeroom)

7A, 7B door (door of double door type)

8, 9 hinge unit

11 operation panel

12 electrostatic switch

15 aluminum foil (metal member)

16 hinge portion

17 hinge shaft

18 connection line lead-out member

18 a peripheral wall (water infiltration prevention member)

22 connection line lead-out portion

23 connection line

24 control device

25 IT adaptor (wireless communication apparatus)

26 connector

27 connector cover

28 a earth line

30 hinge cover

32 surrounding portion (connection line lead-out portion, waterinfiltration prevention member)

33 storage portion (mounting portion)

33 a side wall (water infiltration prevention member)

34 connector

35 wireless communication unit

35 a wiring board

36 step portion (mounting regulation member)

37 engaging claw (mounting regulation member)

39 b inclined portion (water infiltration prevention member)

40 engagement hole (floating prevention member, cover mounting portion)

41 communication unit cover

44 display portion

45 engaging claw (floating prevention member)

46, 47, 48 projection (floating prevention member)

49 depression (floating prevention member)

51 sliding prevention portion

52 hinge cover

56 router

57 Internet

59 mobile terminal

61 storage portion

62 connection line lead-out portion

63 cover

64 cover

65 compressor

66 cover

68 mounting member (member)

69 storage portion

70 wiring board

71 cover

73 storage portion

74 cover

76 lead-out portion cover (first cover)

78 adaptor fixing tool

80 communication unit cover (second cover)

81 storage portion

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator comprising: a housing thatincludes a storeroom; a door that is rotatably provided in the housingthrough a hinge portion and opens and closes an opening of the storeroomby the rotation; a connection line that is led out to the vicinity ofthe hinge portion; and a wireless communication apparatus that includesa wireless communication unit and is connected to the connection line.2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the wirelesscommunication apparatus is disposed in the vicinity of the hingeportion.
 3. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising: ahinge cover that covers the hinge portion, wherein a mounting portion isprovided in the hinge cover to mount the wireless communicationapparatus.
 4. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising:a hinge cover that covers the hinge portion, wherein the connection lineis led out to the hinge cover, and the connection line and the wirelesscommunication apparatus are capable of being connected through aconnector.
 5. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further comprising:a hinge cover that covers the hinge portion; a storage portion that isprovided in the hinge cover and stores the wireless communicationapparatus; and a communication unit cover that covers the wirelesscommunication apparatus stored in the storage portion.
 6. Therefrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the communication unit coveralso covers a connection line lead-out portion through which theconnection line is led out.
 7. The refrigerator according to claim 1,wherein the wireless communication apparatus is positioned on the rearside of the hinge portion.
 8. The refrigerator according to claim 7,wherein a connection line lead-out portion through which the connectionline is led out is positioned between the hinge portion and the wirelesscommunication apparatus.
 9. The refrigerator according to claim 8,wherein the connection line includes a connection line connected to thewireless communication apparatus and a connection line led out to thedoor side, and these connection lines are divided in the connection linelead-out portion for the wireless communication apparatus side and forthe hinge portion side.
 10. The refrigerator according to any one ofclaim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit in the wirelesscommunication apparatus is positioned above the upper surface of thehousing.
 11. The refrigerator according to any one of claim 1, wherein ametal member is provided in a connection line lead-out portion throughwhich the connection line is led out, and the metal member is positionednot to cover the wireless communication unit.
 12. The refrigeratoraccording to claim 1, wherein the metal member is positioned below thewireless communication unit.
 13. The refrigerator according to claim 1,wherein the connection line includes a heater connection line, and themetal member is positioned between the heater connection line and aheat-insulating foam material in the housing.
 14. The refrigeratoraccording to any one of claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unitin the wireless communication apparatus is disposed at a position higherthan the hinge portion.